Decatur General Hospital

Our Mission:
Decatur General is committed to meeting the health and wellness needs of those we serve through compassionate care, innovation and medical excellence. This commitment is supported by service, technology and a dedication to continuous quality improvement.

History:
Decatur General, rich in history because of it ties to our community, began as the vision of a group ladies who banded together to care for a town suffering from a yellow fever epidemic in 1888. These ladies, known as the Ladies Benevolent Society, sold surplus supplies after the epidemic and set aside money to establish a hospital. In 1915, the ladies met their goal by opening Ladies Benevolent Society Hospital, the forerunner to Decatur General.

Aug. 18, 1915 - Ladies Benevolent Society Hospital opened with 28 beds.
1923 - Hospital's first major edition included additional 34 beds, surgery and X-ray facilities.
1915-1944 - Hospital also served as a training school for nurses.
1945 - Benevolent Society Hospital ownership transferred to City of Decatur and Morgan County - renamed Decatur General Hospital.
1947 - Additions include more patient beds, kitchen and dining facilities.
1950 - Further expansion added 25 patient beds, storage space, laundry and maintenance services.
1956 - Surgical expansion added obstetrical beds, laboratory space, additional administrative space and facilities for the mentally ill.
1966 - Radiology, emergency and central supply services added, along with more patient beds.
1971 - Coronary and intensive care facilities began and a pediatric wing added.
1973 - Psychiatric care and physical therapy added as additional services.
1974 - New dietary and administrative suites completed.
1975 - Volunteer Program established.
1984 - Decatur General Foundation established to raise funds for existing programs and develop new healthcare services.
1986 - The five-story Raymond A. Britain wing completed.
1987 - Decatur General Oncology Center established.
1989 - 20-bed inpatient adult and adolescent psychiatric unit opened in hospital.
First Camp Bluebird, North Alabama's only adult cancer camp, at St. Bernard in Cullman, Ala.
1990 - Mammography Center completed.
First Lights of Love tree-lighting ceremony raised funds for hospital cancer programs.
1992 - Cardiac Catheterization Lab added.
1993 - Decatur General West Behavioral Medicine Center opened on Kathy Lane in Southwest Decatur.
1995 - Medical Plaza, Parking Deck and Skywalk established on main campus of hospital.
Hospital acquires Decatur Pediatrics.
1997 - Women's Center established, covering entire fifth floor of hospital. Two outpatient physical therapy clinics established – RehabAccess East and West. Hospital acquires Riverside Pediatrics.
1998 - Emergency Department expanded to 12,000 square feet, double its previous size. Sleep Disorders Center established.
1999 - Priceville Internal Medicine opened, serving as only health clinic in the town of Priceville.
2000 - Kermit Pitt, MD Pediatric Center opened on fourth floor of hospital.
2001 - RehabAccess clinics combined into one and relocated at new, 20,000 square foot facility in Southwest Decatur.
2002 - Planning stages begin for facility expansion.
Plans underway for Community Free Clinic, Decatur-Morgan County, Inc.
Wellness Center opens at Decatur General RehabAccess.
2003 - Hospitalist Program is implemented.
2004 - New services include: Stroke Center, Cardiovascular Center, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Bariatric Surgery, and Surgery Center of Decatur-an outpatient surgery clinic.